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About

About the partnership to fight chronic disease

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) is an internationally-recognized organization of patients, providers, community organizations, business and labor groups, and health policy experts committed to raising awareness of the number one cause of death, disability, and rising health care costs: chronic disease.

The Problem: Preventable and Mismanaged Chronic DiseaseChronic diseases, such as diabetes, COPD, cancer, depression, obesity and heart disease, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and account for the vast majority of health care spending. More than one in two American adults lives with at least one chronic condition and nearly one in three live with two or more chronic conditions. Chronic diseases are also the primary driver of health care costs—accounting for 90 cents of every dollar we spend on health care in this country. In 2011, this amounted to $2.3 trillion of the $2.7 trillion spent on health care. Despite these widespread problems, the issue of chronic disease does not register with large segments of the public and policymakers as an issue of primary concern.

The Solution: A National Partnership Aimed at Fighting Disease
As the CDC has said, “The United States cannot effectively address escalating health care costs without addressing the problem of chronic diseases.” Added to that, the World Health Organization estimates that as much as 80 percent of premature heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, and 40 percent of cancers could be avoided entirely if Americans avoided tobacco, developed healthier eating habits, and were more physically active.

That’s why a broad group of patient, provider, community, business and labor groups, and health policy experts, joined together to form the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD)—a coalition committed to raising awareness of the rising rates of preventable and treatable chronic diseases.

Mission
Rising rates of chronic diseases pose an unsustainable burden on our health care system. The viability and strength of the system—now and in the future—rely on a willingness to enact policies that help Americans better prevent and manage chronic illnesses.

As a result, the mission of the PFCD is to:

Educate the public about chronic disease and potential solutions for individuals and communities

Mobilize Americans to call for change in how government, employers, and health institutions approach chronic disease